Where the Ephemeral Becomes Indelible
In the idyllic setting of our amphitheatre, nature provides a unique and ever-changing backdrop for world-class dance that will move you in positive and meaningful ways. Located 500 feet above bucolic Lake Waramaug, in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, our eco-friendly outdoor performance venue ushers visitors into a veritable garden of earthly delights.
The Amphitheatre @ Dansereye is a naturally-occuring, not artificially-engineered, immersive experience. With its gardens, watercourses and historic connection to the Thyberg family’s legacy of stewardship, this sacred space is a living testament to our mission.
A Rich History & Commitment to Sustainability
The Amphitheatre is perched on a 5-acre tract, the last remaining parcel from 400-acres of pristine land and natural wonders. Native boulders form the hardscape of the Amphitheatre, harvested from and preserving something of each of the Mountain Lake properties. This lapidary marvel is an intentional design feature that pays tribute to the property’s rich history. Sculpted into tiered lawns for audience seating, there is no bad seat in the house.
The remaining 395 acres of the former campgrounds, renamed the Mountain Lake Preserve and Cunningham Nature Preserve, is now held in perpetuity by The Warren Land Trust. It is the linchpin in a much broader effort to protect over 1,000 contiguous acres of vital watershed, restoring wildlife corridors and habitat for hundreds of species of flora and fauna.
This partnership ensures that future generations will be able to enjoy and experience the numinous beauty found here ~ a sensitive and conscious response to what our role can be in making this corner of the world resilient for the future.
Lake Waramaug is named after Chief Waramaug. Dansereye acknowledges the ancestral territory of Chief Waramaug, sachem of an alliance of local tribes, including the Schaghticokes and Weatinokes.
– Petra Hammesfahr
The Gardens @ Dansereye
“Show me a garden that’s bursting into life.”
Snow Patrol
Pollinator Garden
Throughout the amphitheatre, hundreds of native perennials and flowering shrubs attract butterflies, bees and countless birds, putting on a dazzling show of color and movement.
Finney's Point
Across a stone footbridge, Finney’s Point is a secluded spot for reflection and meditation, affectionately named for Dansereye’s official mascot, Finney.
Woodland Garden
Tucked into massive outcroppings of rock ledge, this dappled shade garden evokes a sense of mystery, reminiscent of a painting by Henri Rousseau.
Bog Garden
At the intersection of the mountain stream and a seasonal watercourse, wetland wildflowers and unusual species of willows adorn the banks and provide habitat for local fauna.
Amphitheatre Trail
Beyond the performance space itself, in an old-growth forest, a gentle trail winds along the stream and through a lush understory of mountain laurel and witch hazel, dotted with glacial erratics and vernal pools.
The Amphitheatre was constructed by Michael O’Connell ~ O’Connell Property Care.
Amphitheatre photos by Peter Oberc.
